Tennessee’s least-favorite opposing SEC coordinator took a not-so-subtle jab at the Vols on Twitter Monday afternoon without even saying a word of his own.
The Alabama offensive coordinator, who of course had a very brief stint as UT’s head coach during the 2009 season before bolting to Southern California, posted an article from Dave Hooker of GridironNow.com with the title “Tennessee loaded with top-level recruits – but they’re leaving the state.”
https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/760171727846420480
While we’re sure GridironNow.com appreciates the post and publicity, Kiffin’s main intent there was obviously to take a jab at the Vols – who haven’t had sweeping success with in-state recruiting this year.
While the Vols do have five in-state commitments – safety Maleik Gray, defensive end LaTrell Bumphus, safety Theo Jackson, receiver Princeton Fant and kicker Brent Cimaglia – only one (Gray) is in the top 10 of 247Sports’ composite ranking for the state. Clemson, on the other hand, currently holds commitments from three of the top seven in the state in that ranking.
UT is not in the serious running as of now for No. 2 overall player in the state JaCoby Stevens. The Vols are battling for No. 3 offensive lineman Trey Smith and No. 7 running back Ty Chandler, so there’s still a lot to be gained before signing day.
Alabama is battling for Stevens, Smith and some of the others, so this might be Kiffin’s way of informing them that UT isn’t locking down the state this year.
Regardless of his intent, arguably the least-liked coach in UT history has given Vol fans something else to be upset about. This isn’t the first time that Kiffin has messed with UT on Twitter since last season either.
